The pointing problem: Genuine 3D input

The key problem with using a mouse is that it is 2D, so what about using "genuine" 3D input instead? Of course!

Keyboard input

Before mice came along all input devices were 3D. That's because you can use your keyboard to type coordinates and provide all three values for a 3D position (x, y, and z). Simple! and still worth remembering. Most programs allow you to type coordinates somewhere if needed.

3D digitizers

Various types of 3D digitizer have been developed over the years, ranging from the fairly cheap to the pretty expensive. "MicroScribe" digitizers use a set of linked arms with sensors that measure the rotation of each joint. Based on the angles (and some geometrical calculations!) the location of the tip can be calculated with great precision. The UW has a couple of MicroScribes, and software that will work with them.

Laser scanners can also provide 3D positions. Used in an automated fashion, these provide most of the large-scale digitizing done today, and produce point clouds of data.

A few "3D mice" also exist (the UW CBE has had 3DConnexion devices on some computers in the Digital Commons). Coupled with the right software, these allow pointing in 3D, but not digitizing.

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